Fishing fine for Pamlico County Shrine Club fundraiser

GRANTSBORO — Despite stiff breezes all day, Saturday’s third annual Pamlico County Shrine Club Speckled Trout Tournament was a success, with more than 50 entries, including 10 junior anglers.

The event is a fundraiser for the club, which expanded its facility to host more events, with a goal of continuing to raise money for Shriners Children’s Hospitals.

Dick Riddick, the club president, said events such as the fishing tournament will help pay off the renovation debt.

Dave Stewart, the tournament director, said the club hopes to have the loan paid off soon.

“Once that is done, 50 percent of the proceeds will go to the hospitals,” he said.

Riddick said the entries this year were about equal to last year, and the club considered it a good turnout in the current economic climate.

Climate was on the minds of the fishermen, who went after the speckled trout in any waters they chose Saturday.

Roger Mayo of Minnesott Beach, who entered a 6.56-pound fish early in the weigh-in, said the fish were “hungry,” taking both artificial bait and shrimp.

“They were gobbling them up like crazy,” he said.

He estimated winds at 20-plus mph. Casting into the wind was a problem, but tossing a bait and line with the wind to his back was another matter.

“If you threw with the wind, you could throw that bad boy (bait) into Beaufort County,” he said.

Mayo’s catch held up as the bonus prize large fish of the day.

He and his partner, Phil Rawls of Oriental, fished in creeks off the Bay River, although Rawls wouldn’t specify which creeks.

“I better not,” he laughed. “Then they won’t be special anymore.”

The overall winner in the adult category, based on the weight of three fish entries, was Jason Yates of Morehead City, who had an 11.86-pound catch.

It was close at the top, with Ernul’s Mark Dudley in second at 11.16 pounds and Mayo third with a total weight of 10.54 pounds.

Rounding out the top 10 were Rawls, Robert Bennett of Reelsboro, Brian Edwards of Ernul, Brad Buck of New Bern, Owen Lupton III of Minnesott Beach, Ronnie Buck of New Bern, and Tommy Cowen of Ernul.

Marcus “Buddy” Green of Dawson Creek in Pamlico County won the under-16 youth event, followed by defending champion Ashley Authur of Grantsboro and David Sawyer III of Minnesott Beach.

The winners collected cash prizes, and all who weighed fish got tickets toward a drawing for numerous prizes donated by sponsors.

Charlie Hall can be reached at 252-635-5667 or chall@freedomenc.com.